Peterborough sack Wright for 'gross misconduct'

Peterborough have announced the sacking of manager Mark Wright on the grounds of gross misconduct.

Former Liverpool and England defender Wright was suspended by owner Barry Fry
amid rumours of a bust-up behind the scenes last Tuesday.

He has now been dismissed by the League Two club following his failure to
attend a disciplinary hearing at London Road earlier today.

A statement on the club's official website read: 'It is
with regret that the club announce the dismissal of Mr Mark Wright on the
grounds of gross misconduct.

'A disciplinary hearing was held today when all matters were considered and
the full evidence was investigated.

'Mr Wright failed to attend this hearing. The board therefore felt that there
was no alternative but to take this course of action.

'The club feel badly let down particularly after giving Mark the chance to
re-establish himself within the football community.'

Wright admitted to dropping young centre-back Sean St Ledger to the bench
against Lincoln last weekend following a row with coach Steve Bleasdale, but it
is still not known whether that incident led to his suspension.

The 42-year-old has chosen not to comment on the matter, apart from labelling
the accusations levelled against him as 'laughable'.

Wright was sacked as manager of Oxford in 2001 after alleged racist abuse
towards referee Joe Ross - a claim he has always denied.

He also left Chester in acrimonious circumstances in 2004, just weeks after
leading them from the Conference back into the Football League.

Wright took over at London Road in May last year and led Posh to a healthy
ninth place in League Two despite Fry putting his entire squad on the transfer
list over Christmas.

Bleasdale, who led Posh to a 2-1 win over Grimsby on Saturday, has taken over
first-team affairs with immediate effect.